Cyber Bullying Essay Examples

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.’ The dictionary also defines Traditional bullying, “Traditional bullying is the use of superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him, or her to do what one wants.”

Cyberbullying is a real problem with today’s youth. It is much harder to “see” because it’s done behind closed doors. It’s not upfront and in your face like in person bullying. And because it can be done virtually anonymously it can be hard to track and stop. Which makes it all the more detrimental to kids and teens. Our society is so social media based, and if you are young you have to be on Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter or Instagram to remain current or “cool.” Cyberbullying is much more prevalent because of the social media society as well as when someone gets to hide behind a keyboard they are much more brave and would say things that they would never say in person. A shocking 25% of parents have reported that their child has been cyber-bullied. (“Disturbing statistics unveiled,” 2019)

Cyberbullying is a continuous temporal phenomenon rather than a one-off incident. Hence it makes sense to not only characterize cyberbullying events based on the textual content, but also use temporal characteristics of the event.

Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. Cyberbullying can harm the online reputations of everyone involved – not just the person being bullied, but those doing the bullying or participating in it. The National Crime Prevention Council reported that more than 40% of teenagers in the US have suffered from being cyberbullied. Multiple studies highlight the various negative effects of cyberbullying which include deep emotional trauma, psychological and psychosomatic disorders etc. Hence, to keep the online space safe, it is vital to detect and mitigate cyberbullying.

How cyberbullying differs from traditional?

There are many that argue that cyberbullying is not the most harmful type of bullying. They believe that traditional bullying does in fact cause more harm but they are wrong. Bullies come in all shapes and sizes, the harmful physical bullies do not do the same damage as cyberbullies do. Physical bullies can beat you down physically, but it is easier to stand up to a human and shut down what they are saying than standing up for yourself through a screen. Also, the emotional and mental abuse that cyberbullies target is a lot harder to stand up to, they are a faceless computer screen that are too cowardly to face you.

Cyberbullying and traditional bullying are in many ways the same. They both rely on acts of aggression to cause harm whether physical or psychologically to their victims. Their intent is to bring pain to their victim, which means that the effects of the bullying are the same no matter if it is from behind a screen or directly to the victims face. Relationships are a key factor in both cyberbullying and traditional bullying. In almost all cases the power resides with the bully which makes them in control of the situation.

This is why most bullies will be aggressive in nature and will pick on more passive victims who are unlikely to retaliate or tell someone. This empowers the bully to harass their victims even more because they are not scared of getting in trouble. The bullying will also occur repeatedly. They will continue to attack their victims again and again until they get bored, until someone stops them or in worst cases suicide or self harm occurs.

Although traditional bullying and cyberbullying are similar, there are many things that are different between them. One of the main reasons that cyberbullying and traditional bullying differ from each other, you can’t alway identify your aggressor with cyberbullying. This is due to electronic use, many bullies can hide behind a screen and are anonymous, this means hiding their identities. Being anonymous helps the bully, it makes it where they cant get in trouble and it helps them to not have face-to-face encounters. Traditional bullying is different. You can identify your aggressor because it is direct harassment.

Another way in which cyber bullying differs from traditional bullying is in the uniqueness of cyberbullying. While traditional bullying is usually isolated to the schoolyard, cyberbullying can occur anywhere and at any time. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, for victims to avoid attackers. Cyberbullies can create posts online tearing down their victims whenever they choose. With no means of escape, the victims of cyberbullying are often exposed to harassment on a constant basis.

How to fight cyberbullying?

Due to the evidence that has been provided, Education and communication are the keys to stopping cyberbullying. Those who see bullying or the victims being bullied should be encouraged to report any kind of bullying. Many young adults should be made aware of the consequences that will be put in place for the hurtful words and posts that bullies share. Some teens do not realize how serious cyberbullying is until it is too late.

Many times bullying will get out of hand and depending on the severity of the attacks, the outcome will differ from the victims receiving depression and in worse cases suicide. Victims need to know that people are willing to support them and they have their peers in their corner. Many victims have their parents, site administrators, law enforcement offices, teachers and other students who are going through the same traumatic experience.

Although many believe that schools should provide the means for preventing bullying. Parents have to help, set rules and restrict their children from the internet and guard them from bullies on the internet. “One study found that 37 percent of students reported their parents had given them no rules on Internet use.This same study found that 26 percent of students believed their parents would be concerned about what they did online.” Parents play a big role for teens to understand the importance of online safety. Those surveyed stated that their parents were a huge influence in understanding the acceptable and unacceptable online behavior.

Conclusion

With the evidence that was presented, it makes it obvious that cyberbullying is a big problem that can cause depression or in worse cases suicide. The best way to help those victims and prevent these worse cases is through parental supervision. Another weapon is to have empathy for those who are struggling. Please help put an end to bullying.